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15 Jul 2008

London pollution levels break safety barrier

I had this from Jean Lambert MEP for London, basically pollution levels in many parts of the city are well over what they should be, my fear is that with Boris the buffon, the only cyclist who is in love with Jeremy Clarkson, emissions will head upwards. He has scrapped increased charges for SUVs, scrapped the pedestrianisation of Westminister and while motorbikes are better than cars...his plan to let them share cycle lanes looks like a step backwards.

It would be nice if the 'green' Tories actually introduces some shallow environmentalism rather than continuing with all the usual locura.

PM10....tiny tiny tiny particles of matter are of course generated not just by traffic but incinerators, those may the reason for the New Cross figure below.

In the light of new research into air pollution across London, Jean Lambert,London's Green Party MEP, today slammed Government plans to delay meetingnew EU air quality targets [1]. Many sites in London are frequentlyexceeding current standards, but instead of tackling the problem theGovernment is planning to seek derogations from the EU Air Quality Directivestandards.

"Over 1000 people die prematurely every year in London as a result of poorair quality, far more than die in traffic accidents. Air pollution is theinvisible urban killer and the Government should be doing everythingpossible to clean up the air we breathe," said Ms Lambert [2].

At all but one of the 47 monitoring stations across London the level ofnitrogen dioxide, NO2, consistently exceeds current air quality standards[3] and the level of PM10 particulate matter is exceeding current standardsat 6 sites [4].

Yet this week, the Green Party MEP for London received confirmation from theDepartment for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the Governmentis likely to seek extended compliance deadlines for the pollutants NO2 andPM10, which have grave impacts on human health. If the European Commissionapproves the Government's request to delay it would allow a further fiveyears from 2010 for compliance.

Jean Lambert continued:

"I am very concerned that London's air quality is already falling below EUstandards and if the Government is successful in seeking derogations fromthe new standards it will take the UK further away from meeting itsobligations.

"Poor air quality presents a major threat to public health and it isimperative that the Government commits to fully comply with the new EU AirQuality Directive standards as early as possible."

She added:

"The area around Heathrow is also a hot spot and consistently fails currentair quality standards. The UK Government has no current action plan foraddressing non-compliance and any increase in air and road traffic willsimply intensify the problem and cause greater health problems for localresidents."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] The EU Air Quality Directive

The Air Quality Directive came into force on 11 June 2008. It requiresMember States to reduce exposure to nitrogen dioxide in urban areas. Thelimit value of 40 ug/m3 should be achieved by January 2010. Member Statesmay seek a five-year extension to this deadline but will have to meetspecific criteria for derogation to be allowed.

The standards for NO2 and PM10 will remain the same as current standards,but the rules will be extended to cover fine particles (PM2.5), a pollutantwith serious health consequences.

[2] Health impacts of NO2 and PM10

Air pollution has impacts on human health ranging from minor effects on therespiratory system to reduced lung function, asthma, chronic bronchitis,cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and particles (PM10 and PM2.5) are themain air pollutants of note in the UK. Of these, particles are the largestthreat to human health they are through to take an average of 8 months offthe life expectancy of the average EU citizen (European Environment Agency),and to have been responsible for over 1, 000 premature deaths in Londonalone during 2005 (GLA estimate).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - A respiratory irritant

Particles (PM10 and PM2.5) - Long-term exposure to particles (especiallyPM2.5) is associated with premature mortality, especially from heart andlung conditions. Recent studies have also suggested that high levels ofPM2.5 in childhood can permanently impair lung function. High levels ofparticles can affect asthma sufferers

[3] Twenty worst sites in London for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution, allexceeding current air pollution standard of 40 ug/m3

1 comment:

It is interesting to note that the world acceptable standard for pollution is 50, while those who participate at the olympics will be subjected to a level of over a 100.

Since when was there an acceptable standard for pollution, & what was this standard, say twenty years ago??

Corporately backed science has always had a way of putting a blindfold or name-tag over an issue in order to disguise it or pretending it doesn't exist.

The future doesn't fare well even for those who are interested in preserving this planet with natural intent, as the the true institutions & cartels that run this Earth & control us only have a vision of future control.

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I am a green activist, writer and economist. Three kids, live in Winkfield. Live low impact on the land in my trailer, I am a Green Party local councillor. Ecosocialist and fan of Elinor Ostrom, have worked closely with the Peruvian indigenous leader Hugo Blanco to fight.